Council
The Energy Council is one of the advisory bodies established by the Dutch government. There are councils for every major policy-field.
The Energy Council was established in 1976 in the wake of the 1973-1974 energy crisis when, as a result of Dutch support for Israel in the October War (the Yom Kippur War) against Egypt, Jordan and Syria, the Arab oil-producing countries instituted a boycott against the Netherlands.
This led to the realisation that oil is a rare commodity, and the government felt it needed a council with a broad knowledge of energy issues that could provide independent advice.
The members of the Energy Council – never more than ten - are appointed by the Crown and do not represent political movements, but are appointed in their private capacity because of their expertise, social knowledge and experience.
The council advises annually on a number of energy issues, either by request or on their own initiative. A number of their publications have been translated into English. You can find them under Publications